Political Storm Over Shastri’s Statement

Nagpur: A political storm intensified across Maharashtra on Saturday as the controversy over remarks by Bageshwar Dham's Dhirendra Krishna Shastri on Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj drew sharp reactions from across the spectrum, with Congress demanding an apology, members of Nagpurkar Bhosale royal lineage condemning the statement.Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis asserted there's no historical evidence to support Shastri's claim. Mudhoji Raje Bhonsale termed the remarks "unfortunate", stating any false narrative on Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj is unacceptable. "It is an eternal truth that Maharaj dedicated his life to God, country and dharma. It is deeply unfortunate that those claiming to be protectors of dharma are making factually incorrect statements about him," he said.The controversy stems from an anecdote narrated by Shastri during a dharmasabha in Nagpur, where he suggested Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, exhausted by continuous warfare, once placed his crown at the feet of Samarth Ramdas and expressed a desire to step aside from governance, to which Ramdas kept the crown on his head and asked him to continue as king. The account has been criticised by historians for lacking documentary backing.Reacting to the issue, Fadnavis said there is no reference to such an incident in recorded history. "What's available in authentic texts does not mention any such episode," he said. On Shastri's remarks on dedicating one kid to RSS, Fadnavis said spiritual leaders often express views, which should be understood in context.Congress, meanwhile, escalated its attack. state party president Harshwardhan Sapkal termed the remarks "highly objectionable" and questioned the silence of leaders present at the event, including Fadnavis, Union minister Nitin Gadkari and RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat. He alleged failure to condemn such statements deepened public anger and accused the BJP-RSS of a pattern of distorting history.
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